USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 50
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DR. WILLIAM J. E. CLANCY
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Muirdale Sanitarium in 1917 and was senior resident physician there until March, 1921, when he became medical director of the Blue Mound Sanitarium, which is a unit of the Muirdale Sanitarium, under the supervision of the county. The Blue Mound Sanitarium can accommodate about eighty-five patients. This is a convalescent hospital for tubercular patients and during their convalescent period they are taught all kinds of trades including basket- making, pottery work, painting, and the manufacture of rings and jewelry, of cedar chests, chairs, lamps, etc. This work is carried on not only with a view of enabling the patients to secure employment at a later day but also to bring about contentment which is never fostered by idleness and inactivity.
Dr. Clancy is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Wisconsin State Medical Association and at all times keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress.
DAN P. EELLS.
Dan P. Eells, who is treasurer of the Bucyrus Company of South Milwaukee, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 24, 1884, and is a son of Howard and Alice (Over- ton) Eells. He became a student in the University School of Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1903, and he later completed a course in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, in 1907, when the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. While a student there he was interested in various college organizations, including musical, social and other societies.
After leaving Cornell, Mr. Eells came to South Milwaukee in the fall of 1907 and entered the plant of the Bucyrus Company as an employe in a humble capacity. He worked his way steadily upward through various departments until he became treasurer of the company in 1910. In addition, for the past few years he has had charge of the foreign business of the company, which has built up a very extensive trade in European and other countries. In fact the business of the company extends to all parts of the civilized world. The development of the foreign patronage is attributable in a measure to his progressive methods. Mr. Eells is also the president of the Dolomite Products Company of Cleveland, is one of the directors of the Bucyrus Company of South Milwaukee, is a director of the Sandusky Cement Company of Cleveland, a director of the Atchison & Eastern Bridge Company and a director of the Van Dyke Knitting Company of Milwaukee.
On the 7th of September, 1912, Mr. Eells was married to Miss Anita Van Dyke, daughter of John H. Van Dyke, Jr., and they are the parents of three children: Anna Camp. Maude and Elinor. The family residence is at 209 Prospect avenue and Mr. Eells also owns a country home at Fox Point.
Mr. Eells is one of the executors of his father's estate, having at the death of his father, in connection with his brothers, taken over the responsibility of the manage- ment of the large interests which were left by his father. In club circles Mr. Eells is prominently known, belonging to the University Club of New York city, the Uni- versity Cluh of Chicago, the University Club of Milwaukee, the Tavern Club of Cleve- land, the Town Club of Milwaukee and the Fox Point Country Club. He has attractive social qualities which have won him warm friendships and at the same time he is a thoroughgoing, substantial man, widely and prominently known in the business circles not only of Milwaukee but of Cleveland and in other sections of the country as well.
WALTER HENRY BENDER.
Walter Henry Bender is a member of the legal firm of Hoyt, Bender & McIntyre. He was born in Milwaukee county on the 22d of July, 1879, a son of William Harrison Bender and a grandson of Peter Bender, a native of Onondaga county, New York. The grandfather was a tanner and shoemaker by trade and came with his family to Wis- consin in 1846, establishing a general store on the south side of the present city of Milwaukee, on what was then Perry street. Shortly afterward, however, he acquired a tract of land on the Milwaukee river, about four miles north of the present city limits, and under a special act of the legislature was permitted to build what is still known as Bender's dam, and also erected a grist mill and a sawmill, operated by water power. The grist mill remained in operation until a recent date. Peter Bender built a substantial brick home on Bender's road, near the river, and this home is in possession of one of his grandsons. He was a popular man, well known throughout the countryside, and speedily became a dominant factor in the community and was honored with the usual local offices. He died in 1876.
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
The Bender family had come to this country from Alsace-Lorraine prior to the Revolution. William Harrison Bender was born in New York state in 1840 and came to Milwaukee county with his parents in 1846, making the trip by the Great Lakes in an old sailing vessel. He received his education in this county and lived on a farm here until he was about forty-six years of age, when he removed to Milwaukee and entered the spice, coffee and tea business, in which he engaged until his retirement some years ago. He is still living, being hale and hearty at the age of eighty-two years, and makes his home with his son in Wauwatosa.
Walter Henry Bender received his early education in the Milwaukee public schools and was graduated from the East Side high school here in 1896. He then enrolled in the Milwaukee Normal School, completing his course there in 1898, and subsequently he became a student in the College of Law of the University of Wisconsin, where he was gradnated with the class of 1901, receiving his LL. B. degree. After graduation Mr. Bender opened offices in Milwaukee, where he practiced until 1906. In that year he was elected assistant city attorney and served in that capacity until 1910, when he resigned to form the firm of Doerfler, Green & Bender. Mr. Green later retired from the firm and the practice of law, and Mr. Doerfler accepted an appointment as justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin. E. L. McIntyre, for many years first assistant city attorney of Milwaukee, and Frank M. Hoyt, formerly of Hoyt, Goff & Morgan, entered the firm, which has continued in business since under the name of Hoyt, Bender & McIntyre. In 1918 Mr. Bender was appointed deputy attorney general for the state under Attorney General Spencer Haven and served for one year. Since that time he has handled several important cases for the state as special counsel. At the request of the railroad commission of this state he took up the matter of the administration of the rent regulation act and served as director of that department. Among the notable cases which Mr. Bender has had in charge are the Clancy case, in which it was at- tempted to remove from office Thomas A. Clancy, chief of the fire department, and the defense of Louis A. Arnold, tax commissioner, when impeached by the common council. He likewise represented the city when the Kilbourn heirs asserted a claim to the real estate upon which the Auditorium now stands and was successful in defeating their claim. He is a member of the local and state bar associations and is admitted to practice in all courts of the state and in the supreme court of the United States.
On Thanksgiving Day of the year 1910, Mr. Bender was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dalgleish, a daughter of David Dalgleish, one of the early Scotch settlers of Milwaukee, whose death occurred in 1912. Two daughters have been born to Mr. . and Mrs. Bender: Helen Marion and June Elizabeth.
Mr. Bender has always maintained an independent course in politics, giving his support to the man he thinks hest fitted for the office without regard for party affilia- tions. He has always been a strong advocate of prohibition and is an enthusiastic supporter of strict enforcement of the state and federal acts. He is a member of Calvary Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder, and he likewise teaches an adult class of men and women in the Sunday school. Mr. Bender is identified with no secret societies but is recording secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, secre- tary of the City Club and a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Although the greater part of his time is devoted to his practice, which is of an extensive and important character, he takes a deep interest in and devotes a considerable amount of time to matters of a civic nature. Mr. Bender resides at 5300 Grand avenue, Wauwa- tosa.
PHILLIP W. VOLAND.
The spirit of progress and enterprise finds expression in the life record of Phillip W. Voland, a wideawake and alert merchant of North avenue, who is conducting a well appointed furniture and house furnishings establishment. Mr. Voland is a native son of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred at Kiel on the 8th of September, 1886, his parents being Fred and Theodora (Strubarth) Voland, who were natives of Germany. Coming to America in 1865, they settled at Thiensville, Wisconsin, where the father, who was a mason by trade, died.
Phillip W. Voland devoted his youth largely to the acquirement of a public school education. After leaving high school he attended the Sheboygan Business College and then entered the University of Wisconsin, in which he pursued a special course, thus thoroughly qualifying by liberal educational training for life's practical and re- sponsible duties. He started out in the business world as bookkeeper for the J. B. Laun Lumber Company at Kiel, Wisconsin, there remaining for some time, after which he entered upon an accounting course in the University of Wisconsin and further quali- fied for the duties of a business life. He then took a position with the Kiel Furniture Company as cost accountant and construction man, remaining with the house for two years. In January, 1912, he engaged in the retail furniture business on North avenue
PHILLIP W. VOLAND
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
and has here developed one of the finest and best retail furniture stores on the street. He carries a very extensive and attractive line of goods and has won substantial success, his patronage growing year by year as the result of his close application to business, his thorough reliability and his earnest desire to please his customers. He belongs to that progressive type of men who are seeking not only the upbuilding of their own fortunes but the advancement and growth of the section of the city in which they live. Mr. Voland is now the vice president of the North Avenue Advancement Association and secretary and treasurer of the Milwaukee Retail Furniture Dealers Association.
On the 9th of August, 1911, Mr. Voland was married to Miss Katharine Kissinger, a daughter of William and Mary Kissinger of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. They are well known socially, having an extensive circle of warm friends in this city, while the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by all who know them. Mr. Voland is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Optimist Club and the Milwaukee Association of Commerce-membership connections that indi- cate much of the nature of his interests and his activities outside of business hours.
HERMAN A. OHM.
Not only has Herman A. Ohm figured actively in connection with important business interests of South Milwaukee but has also taken a most helpful part in public affairs in the city, his influence and labors being an effective force in advancing sub- stantial progress and improvement. He is now filling the position of postmaster and at the same time is fully meeting all the requirements that devolve upon him as presi- dent of the South Milwaukee Mutual Loan and Building Association. Mr. Ohm is a native son of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Dodge county, March 14, 1857, his parents being Frederick and Minnie (Richards) Ohm, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1856, settling in Dodge county, Wis- consin, and the father there followed the occupation of farming, while as soon as possible he took out his citizenship papers, for it was his intent to become an American with his removal to the new world. Toward the close of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army. He died September 22, 1898. His wife long survived him, reaching the advanced age of eighty-six years ere death called her on the 15th of January, 1920.
Herman A. Ohm was educated in the public schools but his opportunities in that direction even were quite limited. From the age of nine years he has made his own living, and recognizing the value and need of further educational training, he attended night school when a lad and studied by the light of an old lamp which he still has in his possession and which he greatly prizes, as it is to him the symbol of the effort and the opportunity which he had for acquiring an education. For some years in his youthful days he worked in factories, heing employed at different times in a hub and spoke factory and in a stave factory. Later he went to Iowa, where he was employed at farm labor for two years and in 1876 he removed to Nevada, where he worked at various jobs in the mining camps for a period of five years. He next entered the employ of Lieutenant Governor Jewett Adams of Nevada, to cook for a crew of cow- boys who were moving a herd of five thousand head of cattle out of Death Valley to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Before reaching their destination, however, they left their cattle, which were sold.
In 1881 Mr. Ohm went to Minnesota, to which state his parents had removed, and there he bought a team of horses and began work for the Northwestern Railroad in connection with construction work. When that task was finished he was transferred to Spalding, Michigan, and continued to work on railroad construction for the North- western. Tiring of this business after a time, however, he sold his team and entered the employ of the Spalding Lumber Company. For some years he did jobbing work with several teams and was engaged in hunting up pine lands for the company. For six years he conducted a hotel known as the Spalding House, in the town of Spalding, and then became permanently located upon his removal to South Milwaukee in 1894. Here he purchased a lot and in 1895 erected a store building and stocked it with gro- ceries. For some time he successfully conducted the business and then sold out, once more engaging in the lumber business, which he followed for some time. At a. later period, however, he again became interested in the grocery trade in connection with his stepson, under the firm name of Ohm & Riley, continuing in the business for several years. He is now the president of the South Milwaukee Mutual Loan and Building Association, his associate officers being: P. Knoll, Jr., vice president; Viola M. Scott, secretary and treasurer; and W. J. Riley, attorney. The annual statement of the com- pany shows an excellent condition. They have loans in force on real estate to the value of two hundred and fifty-seven thousand two hundred dollars. There is a paid up stock of one hundred and fifty-seven thousand two hundred dollars and in fact every phase of the business shows careful management and keen discernment, the enterprise prov-
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
ing at once a source of revenue to the stockholders and of great benefit to the community.
Mr. Ohm is likewise active in connection with the public life of South Milwaukee. He was elected the last president of the village before it was incorporated as a city in 1896. He has served as president of the board of education for several years and for a number of terms has filled the office of alderman. He was appointed postmaster on the 2d of March, 1915, and was reappointed to the office on the 29th of August, 1919, by President Woodrow Wilson.
On the 27th of March, 1883, Mr. Ohm was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret J. Haggerson and to them have been born a son and two daughters: Howard F .; Lillian, the wife of Robert Hayman of South Milwaukee; and Irene, deceased. By her former marriage Mrs. Ohm had two children: William J. Riley, who is city attorney of South Milwaukee; and Miles C. Riley, who is an attorney of Madison, Wisconsin, and has been secretary of the governor's conference for several years. Mr. Ohm belongs to several fraternal organizations and his personal qualities win him warm friendships, while his business ability and progressive citizenship class him with the leading and representative residents of South Milwaukee. His experiences of life have been broad and varied and have brought him a thorough and accurate understanding of real values and worth in all that goes to make up modern-day existence.
RAYMOND ELLSWORTH BELL.
Raymond Ellsworth Bell. agency manager of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company at Milwaukee, was born in Ellenville, Ulster county, New York. His father, Alexander Lockwood Bell of Scotch and English ancestry, is now residing in Australia and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth De Witt, is a direct descendant of the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. Raymond E. Bell was born among the Catskills, in one of the picturesquely beautiful sections of New York state. He pursued his education in the public schools of Ulster county, New York, and of New York city and in the high schools of Chicago. He had had a large and varied accounting experience through several years when he entered the selling profession in the adding machine business in 1910, receiving the appointment of agency manager for the Burroughs Adding Machine Company on September 1, 1917.
On the 8th of January, 1916, Mr. Bell married Hertha Jaeschke, daughter of Henry Jaeschke, a successful merchant of Chicago, who was born in Germany and died in Chicago in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have an adopted son, Lewis Jae, nine years of age, and an adopted daughter, Doris Ruth, seven years of age, both attending the Mil- waukee Normal Practice School.
In politics Mr. Bell maintains an independent course. He is a member of the Davenport Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M. of Davenport, Iowa; Lafayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., of Chicago; Palestine Council, No. 66, R. & S. M. of Chicago; Ivanhoe Com- mandery, K. T. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Consistory of Milwaukee; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is identified with Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E., and carries memberships in the Association of Commerce, having served as chairman of its publicity committee until he resigned in 1921. His social connections are with the Milwaukee Athletic Club, Tripoli Golf Club, Racine Country Club, the Wisconsin Club and the Milwaukee Yacht Club. He is an enthusiastic golfer and enjoys all manly athletic sports. The major part of his time is naturally given to his business affairs and his course is marked by that steady progress which results from close application, thoroughness, determination and broad vision. As a citizen he is keenly interested in all that has to do with the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of Mil- waukee and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any well devised plan for the public good.
WILLIAM D. HARPER.
William D. Harper, inspector of buildings for the city of Milwaukee, was here born January 13, 1858, his parents being William D. and Margaret (McGregor) Harper, both of whom were natives of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, their home being near that of Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet. They emigrated to America in 1854 and settled in Milwaukee, where they cast in their lot among the pioneer residents. The father was a grainer by trade and followed this vocation in Milwaukee for many years.
The birth of William D. Harper occurred at what is now 220 Fonrth street but the building in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day has since been torn down. He was educated in the public and high schools and started out in the business
R. ELLSWORTH BELL
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
world as an employe of I. N. Morton, a druggist, with whom he remained for two years. He then became associated with his father and uncle in the painting business and he had previously worked at the carpenter's trade while going to school, so that he thus early gained wide experience along industrial and commercial lines, He re- mained in the painting business for about twenty years and then became a partner of his uncle in the conduct of the wall paper department of the store. He was after- ward called to the office of deputy sheriff, in which position he served for one term and on the expiration of that period he became claim agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, a position which he occupied for two years. In March, 1907, he became connected with the building inspector's office as assistant. In 1912 he was made inspector of buildings, which position he still fills and he has thirty- five men under his supervision. His position is one of large responsibility, seeing that builders meet all requirements and do not overstep the restriction which safety places upon building operations. Mr. Harper was also elected secretary of the Garden Homes Housing Commission and as a member of this commission represents the city in connection with fifty thousand dollars worth of stock which it holds. When Mr. Harper first became connected with the office of building inspector in Milwaukee there were less than four thousand permits annually and today there are thirty-five thousand each year. The fees were less than eight thousand dollars yearly, while in 1921 they will amount to more than one hundred thousand dollars. At the beginning there were sent out less than one hundred notices during the year, while at the present time more than sixteen thousand have been sent out for the year 1921.
On the 3d of July, 1880, Mr. Harper was married to Miss Carrie E. Bowes, a native of Milwaukee, and they have three sons living: William J., an engineer for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway; David M., who is purchasing agent for the Pressed Steel Tank Company; and Gordon C., who is a general contractor fore- man, associated with W. G. Williams. The last named son was in special service during the World war.
Mr. Harper is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the City Club, to the Zoological Association, to the Automobile Club and to the Safe Drivers Association and he occupies an enviable position in social circles, the number of his friends being almost coextensive with the number of his acquaintances. He manifests many of the most sterling characteristics of the Scotch people and his intelligently directed industry has brought him to the creditable position which he now occupies.
CLARENCE JOHN KENNEY, M. D.
Dr. Clarence John Kenney, a veteran of the World war, serving with the rank of major in the Medical Corps of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Field Artillery and now epidemiologist of the Milwaukee health department and also engaged in the private practice of medicine in Milwaukee, was born in Ozankee county, Wisconsin, January 13, 1882, his parents heing Cornelius and Rose (Bannon) Kenney. In the acquire- ment of his education he attended the high school at Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and later entered the State Normal School at Oshkosh, afterward the Dixon College and still later the Marquette University at Milwaukee. In completing his professional training he entered the medical department of the St. Louis University at St. Louis, Missouri, and was there graduated in 1908. He afterward spent one year as interne in the St. Louis City Female Hospital.
It was in the year 1910 that Dr. Kenney came to Milwaukee, where he practiced continuously until 1916, when he was commissioned as first lieutenant in the Wisconsin Field Hospital, Unit No. 1, and was on the Mexican border for six months, being stationed at San Antonio, Texas. He enlisted for service in the World war July 15, 1917, and was made a major of the Medical Corps of the One Hundred and Twenty- first Field Artillery of the Thirty-second Division. With that division he went overseas, remaining for sixteen months in France, during which time he participated in the engagements in the Haute-Alsace sector, the Aisne-Marne offensive, the Fismes sector. the Oise-Aisne offensive, the Avocourt sector, the Meuse-Argonne offensive and others He was at all times with the Medical Corps of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Field Artillery, and returned with it. It was a wonderful experience for any young man who lived to return and such was the character of his service that he was given the Croix de Guerre by the French and an army citation by General Pershing. He was mustered out June 3, 1919, at Camp Grant. He had eight years of National Guard service prior to entering the United States army.
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